Gala 2026

The Waterloo Region Chapter of Les Marmitons looks forward to hosting you for the 2026 Les Marmitons International Gala, June 25th to June 28th . We are ecstatic to be able to invite you to our home here in Waterloo Region - the crossroads of innovation and tradition – famous for our Germanic Roots and Oktoberfest celebrations, our bountiful local agriculture and open-air markets as well as bustling city centers complete with a truly fantastic food and bar scene. There’s something for everyone throughout our rich region!

Guests will be able to stay at the beautiful Hampton Inn & Suites, which will be our ‘host hotel’ for this weekend, as well as at the Homewood Suites next door –which is an all-suite base where our AGM and LMI Board Meeting will be held. These beautiful properties are just 5 minutes down the road from the largest indoor/outdoor year-round market in all of Canada – the St Jacobs Farmers Market. The Hampton Inn is also where we will offer our departing Sunday breakfast before you return home. Both hotels are conveniently located next to each other for ease of access and a variety of accommodation

options.

Waterloo Region is comprised of several scenic towns, vibrant cities and quaint villages and we look forward to showing them all off throughout the weekend! Our Gala Banquet will be held on Saturday evening at the independently-owned Cambridge Hotel – just 20 minutes away from where guests are staying – and will be offering a tantalizing 7-course tasting menu for our evening by locally renowned Chef Aaron Clyne.

For those who opt to join us early for our optional Thursday night event, you will get the chance to see something truly special and unique to our chapter – the state-of-the-art culinary facilities at Conestoga College’s Waterloo Campus – where our members have the incredible opportunity to cook out of for our regular events. Here you’ll get a chance to tour the newly renovated labs and kitchens and enjoy a Welcome Cocktail Evening with some of our guest chefs and college partners for cocktails and a multi cultural spread of fare at their teaching restaurant ‘Bloom’.

Friday night promises to be one you won’t forget as we raise a stein in ‘Prost’ at the Kitchener Concordia Club, and ‘willkommen’ you to the original home of the region’s Oktoberfest festivities. The evening will consist of traditional music and dancing, keg tapping’s, Germanic food and drink, special guests, games and perhaps even a visit from Onkel Hans himself! You will get to experience first-hand the magical celebrations that make us the world’s second largest Oktoberfest outside of its origins in Munich, Germany. 

Between our bombastic main events you’ll find plenty to fill your time with here in our backyard – walking tours, food labs, brewery visits, wine pairing classes and much much more. Our region and the surrounding areas offer a world-class selection of things to see and do – visit one of the picturesque villages, take in a classic Shakesperean show at the famous historic Stratford festival, visit locally Michelin recommended destinations – or if you’re feeling really adventurous, travel out to the African Lion Safari and get up close and personal with some of the world’s most interesting wildlife – there’s no shortage of options to make your trip memorable here in Waterloo.

We can’t wait to host our brethren and guests across North America’s chapters of LMI and show off our incredible region and all it has to offer.

See You Soon!

Mike Collins, President

Les Marmitons Waterloo Region